For many attorneys, their first and second year of practicing law is exciting and a little scary. While some are thrown into the work and are left to figure things out on their own, others are given strong mentorship and direction to get settled in. Whatever the case, there are many mistakes that lawyers can make after their first year in practice.
Here are the Top Ten Common Mistakes New Lawyers Make
Not staying organized
Being organized is crucial in law practice, as there are many deadlines and cases to keep track of. Lawyers who are disorganized may miss deadlines, lose important documents, and fail to effectively represent their clients. Look to new automation and software that can help.
Not networking
Building relationships with other lawyers, judges and clients is essential for success in law practice. Lawyers who do not network may miss out on opportunities for new cases and clients and may not have the support of other lawyers when they need it. Look to develop 2-3 strong referral sources as well. This will ensure you are getting a regular stream of business each year. An example of this would be a transactional attorney partnering with litigators whose clients may need transactional work that they don’t do.
Not being responsive
Being responsive to clients and other lawyers is important for building trust and maintaining relationships. Lawyers who are not responsive may lose clients and miss opportunities for new cases. Make a policy with yourself to always respond within 24 hours or less.
Not staying up to date on the law: The law is constantly changing, and lawyers who do not stay up-to-date may miss important changes that could affect their clients.
Not being prepared
Being prepared for court appearances, meetings, and negotiations is crucial for success as a lawyer. Lawyers who are not prepared may appear unprofessional and may not be able to effectively represent their clients.
Not being honest
A lawyer’s honesty is important in law practice, as attorneys have a duty to be truthful with their clients. Lawyers who are not honest may lose the trust of their clients and may be subject to disciplinary action.
Not being proactive
Lawyers who are proactive in their practice are more likely to be successful than those who are passive. Proactive lawyers take initiative and seek out new cases and clients, while passive lawyers wait for opportunities to come to them. If you asked ten top legal rainmakers about being proactive, no one would tell you to sit back and wait for the phone to ring.
Not focusing on client needs
Clients are the most important part of law practice, and lawyers should always focus on meeting their client’s needs. Lawyers who do not focus on their clients may lose them to other lawyers who do. This doesn’t mean you must bow down to your clients’ every whim, but rather set and meet expectations to ensure a win-win outcome.
Not having a plan
Having a plan for your law practice is essential for success. Lawyers who do not have a plan may not be able to achieve their goals and may miss out on opportunities for growth and advancement. The saying to remember is, “a failure to plan is a plan to fail.”
Not being self-aware
Lawyers should be aware of their own strengths and weaknesses and should work to improve their skills and knowledge. Lawyers who are not self-aware may make mistakes and may not be able to effectively represent their clients. One way to assist with this is to write down the areas where you feel you are weak and strong to better understand areas to fix and leverage.
How to Avoid These Common Mistakes
These mistakes can be avoided by proper planning, organization, network building, being honest, having good communication skills, and being up to date with the law. New lawyers should also seek out mentorship, coaching, and guidance from experienced lawyers and legal coaches to help them navigate the challenges of law practice. Additionally, it is important to never stop learning and growing as a lawyer, as the legal field is constantly evolving.
By avoiding these common mistakes and taking the necessary steps to improve, lawyers can increase their chances of success in their own law firms & in the legal field, providing the best possible representation for their clients.
Contact Steve Fretzin if You’re an Attorney Who Needs Coaching
If you need coaching, training, and accountability to achieve next level goals in 2023, please email me directly at steve@fretzin.com to discuss your goals for the future. You can also check out my BE THAT LAWYER podcast on my website www.fretzin.com/podcast or on any major podcast platform.